Cost of Self-Publishing – Finding an Editor

Writer.ly.com shared an article on Facebook about the cost of self-publishing.  (See and read it here: http://www.writer.ly/community/how-much-does-it-cost-to-self-publish-a-book/.)  It is an interesting article, and with my own, personal experience publishing as E. G. Gaddess and T. L. Frye, it got me thinking:  It’s time to post about editing. 

I’m an editor of technical documents in “real life”, so I know a little about editing.  But I still can’t edit my own work.  And neither should you.  We’re too close to it.  We see what we want to see.  It is our baby and it is perfect.

And, when we have someone else edit, we have to be willing to listen to what they have to tell us.  Just like workshopping a manuscript, it’s a collaboration , and you need to communicate any concerns with your editor.  If you think a recommendation is bunk, explain what you were trying to get across; maybe you weren’t as clear as you thought and they can help.  It’s what they do.

Check around Facebook (and blogs) for author and writing groups, and ask members for editor recommendations.  Check out the editors they have personally worked with.   

My a-one choice:

Cynthia Shepp:  http://cynthiashepp.wordpress.com/category/editing/ or https://www.facebook.com/cynthiashepp.  Cynthia edited The Secret of Magik and Dragons for me.  She was quick, professional, and I think her edits made the book better.

Others on Facebook to check out (I’ve seen them come up in writing group posts):

Kim’s Editing Services:  https://www.facebook.com/KimsEditingServices2013

Wendy Reis Editing:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-Reis-Editing/204459706267421

You should also beware when searching on Facebook for an editor.  Get several recommendations before choosing one, and take a look at past editing projects if you can, and contact the author with questions. 

What genres do they edit?  Are those genres in line with what you are writing?  Remember, a YA book is very different than, say, adult erotica.  But just because they haven’t edited in your genre, doesn’t mean they can’t.  Communicate with them.

How many projects have they done?  How long have they been editing?  What is their education?

And don’t be afraid to consider other benefits. 

Cynthia also does book reviews and posts her reviews on Facebook.  She’s not the only editor that will help you market your book, and any extra services they offer should be considered.  (Cynthia also helped me find my cover designer, http://www.phycel.com/, and someone to do an author interview.)

Lastly, don’t forget to check out their page (it shouldn’t be a personal page, but a business page); if there are spelling or grammatical errors on it (not in the posts, but in the introduction, etc.) do you really want to use them? 

If you know an editor that does good work for a reasonable price, add them to the comments.